‘Friends’ Director Says Cast Members Were ‘Devastated’ Learning Of Matthew Perry’s Death

The sudden and tragic passing of Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023, has had a profound impact, sending shockwaves through his Friends castmates. The late actor, renowned for his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom, met an untimely demise when he was discovered unresponsive in a bathtub by one of his assistants. This heartbreaking event left his friends and colleagues in a state of profound disbelief and grief.

However, in the wake of Perry’s tragic demise, director James Burrows has shared valuable insights into how the remaining members of the Friends, including Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow, have been navigating the overwhelming loss.

James Burrows says news of Matthew Perry’s demise shattered ‘Friends’ cast members

Burrows, who directed over a dozen episodes of the show, shared in a recent interview on the TODAY show that the entire cast of Friends was profoundly affected upon learning of Matthew Perry’s passing.

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He explained that the cast had forged a remarkably tight-knit bond with one another over the years, making the news of the actor’s death especially devastating to all of them. “I had texted the girls the day we found out. They were destroyed. It’s a brother dying; I had to have a couple of days to just let it soak in,” Burrows told the news outlet. “He was part of a family, and he was the first one to not be part of that family anymore.”

James Burrow shares insights into Matthew Perry’s character

Burrow, who also had the privilege of contributing to other iconic TV series such as Cheers, Taxi, Will & Grace, and Frasier, offered insights into Perry’s personality and how it resonated with his Friends character. He described how the late actor exhibited striking similarities to his on-screen persona in real life. “He was really funny. He was a little awkward, too,” the director admitted to TODAY. “Chandler was awkward. And Matthew was awkward. So, it was a perfect, perfect meld.”

The director, recognized for overseeing the production of the initial four episodes of the beloved sitcom Friends, also shared sentiments about the late actor. He emphasized that from the beginning of the project, Perry made an indelible mark and displayed such immense talent that he was convinced the audience would undoubtedly develop a deep affection for the character of Chandler. “He was incredibly inventive. He was inventive with how he did a line,” Burrows added. “Wow. The reading around the table. Matthew had a certain way of turning a line.”